asked the Minister for Agriculture the average price for fat pigs in Ireland for the past six months compared with the price received by farmers in other EC countries; and, if the price in Ireland is lower, the reason.
161.
Written Answers. - Pig Prices.
160.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if Irish pig producers are among the most efficient in the EC and yet have the lowest profit margins and if he will make a statement on the matter.
162.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether the Irish bacon processing industry is buying the cheapest raw materials in the EC and yet has not succeeded in selling competitively in the European market, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 to 162, inclusive, together.
Pig prices in the different member states of the Community are given on an annual basis in the Eurostat publication "Agricultural Prices". A further Eurostat publication entitled "Agricultural Prices: Selected series from the Cronos data bank" gives such prices on a monthly basis. The latest available editions of both of these publications are available for reference in the Dáil Library.
Because of different pig specifications applicable in the various member states, it is not possible to achieve a absolute comparability in prices. Despite this reservation, however, it would appear that Irish pig prices have been among the lowest in the community. At the same time the efficiency of Irish pig producers compares favourably with that of producers in Europe though Irish production costs, notably feed, tend to be higher. I have been stressing for some time that in the absence of rationalisation of slaughterhouse capacities and modernisation of processing facilities, Irish pigmeat plants will not be able to withstand the growing competition on home and export markets. Substantial grants from IDA and FEOGA are available for suitable capital projects aimed at modernisation and rationalisation. In addition, it is necessary for Irish factories to engage in product development and to be able to sell effectively, particularly on export markets. Allocation of resources to product and market development are matters for individual factories. Improved competitiveness through modernisation and effective selling is one of the better ways of generating higher profits to enable all sectors of the industry to be amply remunerated, including producers' margins.